CURWENSVILLE, PA — A 31-year-old man was arrested June 23, 2026, at a Dollar General store after allegedly attempting to meet what he believed was a 15-year-old girl.
Seth James Bechtel, of Clarion, was taken into custody without incident after chatting online with a decoy posing as a minor, according to Curwensville Police Chief Rod Witherite.
Police said Bechtel solicited sex and sent explicit messages detailing plans to sexually assault the decoy.
Bechtel was charged with attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years old, attempted unlawful contact with a minor for sexual offenses, attempted aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old, attempted corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility.
He was incarcerated in the Clearfield County Jail.
Officer Joseph Witherite filed the charges.
The arrest was made with assistance from 814 Pred Hunters and the Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office.
